Backyard Inspiration

This past weekend I went to visit a friend. We've discussed the unusual pink tree on her driveway before, but I'd never managed to see it in bloom before.

It's a tamarisk tree, and if you haven't seen one, that's probably because you also live in Portland, where they don't naturally grow. From what I've read they're native to areas like Southern California and Israel. Yeah - not exactly something you'd expect here. Unfortunately, what that means for tamarisk trees in Portland suburbia is a very short blooming season.

My friend is generous, and let me clip some of the pink goodness. At home, I added a few clematis blooms to create a frothy summer arrangement.